Family Law

Matters relating to family law are often highly emotionally charged and typically there is a lot at stake for those involved. At Donnachie Law we understand this and we want to help in any way we can. We pride ourselves on our friendly and empathetic approach, and will apply our expertise to work towards the outcome you are looking for.

If you would like to speak to a family law solicitor in Scotland, please do not hesitate to contact us for a free no obligation initial enquiry.

How can we help?

We can help you with a wide range of family law issues, including –

• Divorce and separation
• Civil partnership dissolution
• Child contact and residence
• Separation by unmarried couples who have not entered into a civil partnership
• Family law agreements

Divorce and separation

Going through a divorce or separation is extremely difficult. Not only will there be painful emotions involved, there will also be so many practical issues to settle. All of this can make the process of divorce and separation very complex. Whether you want to end a marriage or legally separate, we can act as your legal representative, helping you by –

• Advising on the grounds for your divorce
• Managing the divorce process on your behalf
• Negotiating the division of your assets
• Negotiating issues relating to your children
• Representing you in court if necessary and obtaining court orders

Civil partnership dissolution

The process of dissolving a civil partnership is a little different to the process of divorce, but it is often necessary to navigate exactly the same issues, such as the division of assets and child care arrangements. We can guide you through the dissolution of your civil partnership and related matters.

Child contact and residence

Child care is another common source of dispute following a divorce, civil partnership dissolution or separation. Each parent will be concerned about maintaining a relationship with their children, but sadly this can result in disagreements about where a child should live, how much time a child should spend with each parent, and how much child maintenance should be paid.

Such disputes are devastating for all involved and it is in everyone’s best interests to resolve them as quickly and as amicably as possible. We can help you through this challenging time, applying our legal expertise to allow you to reach a solution.

Separation by unmarried couples who have not entered into a civil partnership

The law for unmarried couples is very different to the law for married couples and this can create a lot of confusion and upset.

If you are currently cohabiting with your partner, meaning you are living together but you are not married and have not entered into a civil partnership, we can explain how best to protect your legal and financial position. This is important, particularly if you have purchased a property together, as unmarried cohabiting couples have very limited legal rights. This means that you could find yourself in serious difficulty, should your relationship break down in the future.

If you are separating from your partner, you may now be in the midst of such complications. If so, we can explain your options, helping you with property claims and financial provision for your children.

Family law agreements

There are different types of legal agreement that can be useful in the context of family law. These include –

Separation Agreements, which are useful for couples who are separating but do not yet want to begin the divorce or civil dissolution process. It sets out the financial and child care arrangements between you. They are applicable also to cohabiting couples who are not married or civil partners but who intend to separate.

The division of assets is often one of the most contentious areas following a divorce, civil partnership dissolution or separation. During a relationship your finances become so intertwined that it is often hard to apportion assets when the relationship comes to an end. One person may also have a financial obligation to the other, and this can be the source of much dispute. As experts in this area of the law, we know what your rights and responsibilities are and can advise you accordingly. We can then enter into negotiations on your behalf, doing all in our power to reach an agreeable financial settlement as efficiently as possible.

Prenuptial Agreements, which are useful for couples who are about to get married. It sets out what would happen to your finances and children, should your marriage end in divorce.

We can advise whether a legal agreement would be beneficial in your individual circumstances, and if so, can undertake the necessary steps to put the agreement in place.

Contact us now

If you have a family law matter, please hand the burden over to us. We have years of experience in this area of the law and are here to protect the interests of you and, if applicable, your children. To find out more about how we can help you, please contact us now on Freephone 0800 678 5167 or make a Free No Obligation Initial Enquiry.